Loom for weaving, macramé, and braiding with jewelry

ABSTRACT

A loom includes a first fork, having a first interchangeable anchor point for a cord; a second fork, having a second interchangeable anchor point for the cord; and a base to retain the first fork and the second fork at generally perpendicular angles to the base. The first and second anchor points are positioned so as to provide an area for a user&#39;s hands to be inserted underneath the cord and between the forks to allow the hands to manipulate jewelry items into the cord. A tall fork and a short fork support the attachment points perpendicular to the base. The interchangeable anchor points are selectable between dowels and threaded warp bolts.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/173,529, filed Apr. 28, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to looms and more specifically to a tool for making cloth and jewelry.

Existing looms lack angles to enable the user to sit in a comfortable position. Users must sit bent over the loom, which causes back pain and discomfort. Existing looms limit the use of jewelry making techniques to one technique. Further more, other looms cause back pain and discomfort while using them.

It would be desirable to have a loom for multiple uses that is comfortable to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a tool for a cord includes a first fork, having a first anchor point for the cord; a second fork, having a second anchor point for the cord; and a base to retain the first fork and the second fork; wherein the second anchor point is retained at a distance further from the base than the second anchor point, so that the cord lies at a non-zero angle relative to the base.

In another aspect of the present invention, a loom includes a first fork, having a first interchangeable anchor point for a cord; a second fork, having a second interchangeable anchor point for the cord; and a base to retain the first fork and the second fork at generally perpendicular angles to the base, the first and second anchor points positioned so as to provide an area for a user's hands to be inserted underneath the cord and between the forks to allow the hands to manipulate jewelry items into the cord.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method utilizing a cord, includes anchoring a first portion of the cord to a first anchor point; and anchoring a second portion of the cord to a second anchor point, the second anchor point at a distance from a base that is further than the first anchor point so that the cord lies at a non-zero angle relative to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the components of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, including the best mode of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not indicate that the steps must be performed in that order.

The present invention relates to a 3-in-1 bead weaving, macramé, and braiding loom with comfort angled design for jewelry making projects.

An embodiment of the present invention generally provides a multi use jewelry making, art and craft tool. Embodiments may include a stable anchor attachment point for the purpose of macramé jewelry making along with braiding and thread weaving. Embodiments may also serve as a seed bead-weaving loom. An embodiment of a tool may be angled to enable the user to sit in a comfortable position instead of having to sit bent over the loom, thereby helping avoid back pain and discomfort. A loom may give the user the ability to sit in a comfortable position eliminating back discomfort and pain. A loom may also serve as a multi purpose tool for three or more different jewelry making techniques.

A “loom” is generally a frame for interlacing or combining cords, such as threads or yarns, to form a cloth or decorative item. An embodiment of the present invention may include a loom with a universal adaptation to support macramé, weaving, and braiding, with features for the user to comfortably include jewelry into the item. Embodiments may include a tool for seed bead weaving and macramé knot tying and braiding.

As depicted in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention may include a loom 10 with a loom base 20 to support a tall fork 12 and a short fork 14. The forks 12, 14 may each include a plain macramé dowel 16 that may be replaceably interchanged with a threaded warp bolt 18. Each fork may have an anchor point 22 that is an adjustable thread/cord attachment. Tall fork 12 may have a tall fork cross support 24, and short fork 14 may have a short fork cross support 26. Rubber O ring stoppers 28 may help retain either the warp bolt 18 or macramé dowel 16 when not in use. A fork support bolt 32 with a wing nut 30 may be used to hold the anchor points 22 or fork cross supports 24, 26 to provide a tool that can be assembled and disassembled.

As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a loom 10 may include a 3-in-1 bead weaving, macramé, and braiding loom with comfort angled design for jewelry making projects. The tall fork 12 may include a surface, which holds the plain macramé dowel 16 or the threaded warp bolt 18 while a person is macramé/weaving/braiding a cord 40 having jewelry 42, depending on the jewelry technique being used on the loom 10. Tall fork 12 may have an upper surface that may be rounded or square. The tall fork 12 may include a hard, supportive material, including but not limited to wood, metal and plastic. The tall fork 12 may be shaped as a rectangle. Tall fork 12 may be sized to accommodate the comfortable, working angle, and may have a height of 7-9 inches and a depth of 1¼-1½ inches.

The short fork 14 may include a surface, which holds the plain macramé dowel 16 or the threaded warp bolt 18 while a person is macramé/weaving/braiding depending on jewelry technique being used on the loom 10. Short fork 14 may have an upper surface that may be rounded or square. The short fork 14 may include a hard, supportive material, including but not limited to wood, metal and plastic. The short fork 14 may be shaped as a rectangle. Short fork 14 may be sized to accommodate a comfortable, working angle, and may have a height of 4½-5½ inches and a depth of 1¼-1½ inches.

The plain macramé dowel 16 may include a surface, which attaches cord or thread by looping or tying, to be used as an anchor, for cord/thread to macramé/weave/braid depending on the jewelry technique being used. The plain macramé dowel 16 may include a hard, supportive material, including but not limited to wood, metal and plastic. The plain macramé dowel 16 may be shaped as round, but can take any other shape, such as square, rectangle, or triangle. It may be sized to accommodate the making of jewelry and may have a length of 6-7 inches and a diameter of ½-¾ inch

The threaded warp bolt 18 may include a surface for accurate spacing between threads for a technique known as warping for loom weaving. The threaded warp bolt 18 may include a hard, supportive material, including but not limited to wood, metal and plastic. The threaded warp bolt 18 may be shaped as round, but can take any other shape, such as square, rectangle, or triangle. It may be sized to accommodate accurate thread spacing and may have a length of 6-7 inches and a diameter of ½-1 inch.

The loom base 20 may include a surface to provide support for the loom fork assemblies 12 and 14. It may be sized to accommodate the making of jewelry using a variety of techniques and may have a length of 19 to 22 inches and a width of 3-5 inches and a thickness of ½-1 inch. The loom base 20 may include a hard, supportive material, including but not limited to wood, metal, and plastic. The loom base 20 may be shaped in a rectangle but could take on any other shape such as an oval or square. It may be sized to accommodate a human posture comfortably.

The adjustable thread/cord attachment 22 may create tension on threads/cords as needed during jewelry making to free a person's hands while working on creating jewelry and proving a support system for the jewelry making process. The adjustable thread/cord attachment 22 may have a round shape, but can take any other shape, such as square, rectangle, or triangle. The adjustable thread/cord attachment 22 may be sized to accommodate the inside width of the tall fork assembly 12 and the short fork assembly 14 with a length of 3½-4½ inches and a thickness of 1 inch in diameter. The adjustable thread/cord attachment 22 may be comprised of a hard, supportive material, including wood, metal, and plastic.

The tall fork cross support 24 may include a device configured and designed to allow for support to the cross section of the tall fork assembly 12 and measures 4 inches in length and 1¾ to 2 inches high and ½ to 1 inches thick and may comprise of any hard supportive material known to the art including but not limited to wood, metal, and plastic. The tall fork assembly 24 and may be rectangle in shape, but could take any other shape such as square or round.

The short fork cross support 26 may include a device configured and designed to allow for the best possible support to the cross section of the short fork assembly 14 and may measure 4 inches in length and ½ to ¾ inches high and ½ to 1 inches thick and may comprise of any hard supportive material known to the art including but not limited to wood, metal, and plastic. The short fork assembly 26 may be rectangle in shape, but could take any other shape such as square or round.

The rubber “O” ring stoppers 28 may apply to the ends of the plain macramé dowel 16 and the threaded warp bolt 18 to secure into place while resting in the short and tall fork assemblies (12 and 14) and may be ¾ inch in diameter, but can be adjusted to different sized macramé dowel 16 and the threaded warp bolt 18 and may be comprised of any stretchy material known to the art including but not limited to rubber. The rubber “O” ring stoppers may be shaped as a circle, but could take any other shape, such as an oval or square.

The wing nut 30 may attach to the ends of the fork support bolt 32 to accommodate tightening and hold in place the tall and short fork assemblies (12 and 14) and the adjustable thread/cord attachment 22. This tightening will pull the thread/cord to the desired tension to work on the project. The wing nut 30 may include a hard, supportive material, including but not limited to wood, metal and plastic.

The fork support bolt 32 may give the loom 10 the option to be disassembled for storage. It may include a bolt with a flat head on one end and threaded on the other end which slides through the fork assemblies (12 and 14) to connect them to the loom base 20. It may be comprised of a hard material, including but not limited to wood, plastic and metal. The fork support bolt 32 may be sized and shaped to accommodate the length of the fork assemblies (12 and 14) with a length of 5½-6 inches and a diameter of ¼ inches.

The tall fork assembly 12 may connect to the adjustable thread/cord attachment 22 in the upper portion of the fork assemblies (12 and 14) with the fork cross support (24 and 26) with the other fork connected to the other side (creating an H shape) with the fork cross support (24 and 26) connecting between the fork assemblies (12 and 14), fork 12 paired with 12 and fork 14 paired with 14 connecting an inch from the bottom of each fork (12 and 14) (the bottom being the end not drilled with a hole.) This creates two fork assemblies—one for each end of the loom base 20. Any connection may include screws, bolts, and adhesives, or other connectors.

The tall fork assembly 12 may attach at either end of the loom base 20 using the fork support bolt 32 and wing nuts 30 but may use any other nut to tighten at each end of the bolt which will hold the tall fork assembly 12 in place. The short fork assembly 14 may be attached in the same manner at the other end of the loom base 20. The plain macramé dowel 16 may attach by sliding through both fork assembly holes and securing in place by using the rubber O ring stoppers 28 but may use other ring style stoppers by applying each one to the end of the macramé dowel 16. The threaded warp bolt 18 may slide into place through the ¾ inch holes in the assembly forks (12 and 14) at each end of the loom and secured into place by using rubber O ring stoppers 28 but may use other ring stoppers at each end of the threaded warp bolts 16. The adjustable thread/cord attachment 22 may be permanently or detachably connected and may twist to create thread/cord tension by attaching the threads or cord to the screw in the adjustable thread/cord attachment 22 and twisting to desired tension and tightening into place by using the wing nuts 30 or other nuts on one or both sides.

An embodiment of the loom 10 may be assembled by sliding metal support bolt 32 through each set of loom forks (12 and 14) after being placed over each end of the loom base 20 then attaching wing nuts 30 on each end of the metal support bolts 32 and tighten. Once assembly is done the user may choose the plain macramé dowel 16 to create macramé jewelry and braiding or thread weaving and craft items. The dowel 20 may be replaced with the threaded warp bolt 30 and may create seed bead loomed jewelry and craft items.

An embodiment may be held comfortably between the knees or on the lap of the user while sitting in a comfortable place. Its angled design may allow easy to reach access, with plenty of work space under the project, to help provide proper tension control and easy view of the project. Embodiments may also offer the user multiple jewelry making technique options.

To use an embodiment, one may begin work on the loom 10 by placing the short fork 14 closest to your body. The tall fork end 12 furthest from the user's body would be the proper working direction. To use loom 10 for macramé jewelry, one may place the plain macramé dowel 16 into both fork ends of the loom 10. The user may cut a desired length of cord, and create loop or tie cord to macramé dowel, which becomes the anchor point for the cord to be braided, tied, or woven. One or more cords may be tied to the end of the loom 10 at the thread/cord attachment 22 to create the desired tension by twisting the thread/cord attachment 22, and then the wing nuts 30 tightened to hold in place while working on the project. The plain macramé dowel 16 can then be changed to the threaded warp bolt 18 for the purpose of seed bead loom weaving. One may tie a desired thread to the thread/cord attachment 22 then begin stringing threads over each threaded warp bolt 18, allowing each thread to lay in a separate groove in the warp bolt 18. One may then tie the threads onto thread/cord attachment 22 located at the other end of the loom 10 continuing until the desired amount of thread is in place, and then tying the thread end onto one of the thread/cord attachments.

To use an embodiment, a person may provide the loom 10 and choose either the plain macramé dowel 16 or the threaded warp bolt 18 to use for her desired jewelry, art or craft project. She would then attach her desired cords or threads to the adjustable thread/cord attachment 22. She would then find a comfortable place and position to sit and begin work on her desired project utilizing the comfortable angled design and easy to hold size in a manner that would suite her and give her accurate full view of her project as she works.

An embodiment of a seed bead looming technique may include the following steps. Place thread bolts in the loom and secure with rubber O rings at each end. Tie threads over screws at each end of loom with a slip knot. Wrap around screw several times to anchor the thread and then go across the loom to the screw on the opposite side and wrap around screw to anchor thread. Go back across loom placing threads into the thread guide and continue the process until enough thread is in place for your desired project. If more tension on threads is desired place wood braiding dowel behind threads at the end of the loom just above the screw.

An embodiment of a macramé technique may include the following steps. Place wood dowels in loom. Measure cord to desired length for your project and tie loop at the end of the cord. Slip loop onto dowel at the higher end of the loom. Pull center cord out and place beads onto cord then tie to the screw at the end of the loom. Use remaining cords to begin macramé knot tying of desired design. A paper clip can also be used as a hook for projects like braiding. Just bend into a hook shape and hook onto wood dowel as an anchor. 

1. A tool for a cord, comprising: a first fork, having a first anchor point for the cord; a second fork, having a second anchor point for the cord; and a base to retain the first fork and the second fork; wherein the second anchor point is retained at a distance further from the base than the second anchor point, so that the cord lies at a non-zero angle relative to the base.
 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first fork and the second fork are retained at generally perpendicular angles to the base.
 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the forks are separated sufficiently distant from the base and from each other so as to provide an area for a user's hands to be inserted underneath and between the cords.
 4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the forks are sufficiently separated so as to allow a user's hands to manipulate jewelry items into the cord.
 5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first fork is detachably connected to the base and the second fork is detachably connected to the base so that the forks may be detached when the tool is not in use.
 6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the distance between the base and the first anchor point is greater than the distance between the base and the second anchor point, thereby providing an angled area for a user's hands underneath the cord.
 7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first fork has a first cross support to retain the first fork at a generally perpendicular angle to the base, and the second fork has a second cross support to retain the second fork at a generally perpendicular angle to the base.
 8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first anchor point is an interchangeable element selectable between a dowel and a threaded warp bolt.
 9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first anchor point and the second anchor point are removable, further comprising: a third anchor point for the first fork, having an O-ring to retain the third anchor point to the tool when the third anchor point is not in use; and a fourth anchor point for the second fork, having an O-ring to retain the fourth anchor point to the tool when the fourth anchor point is not in use.
 10. A loom, comprising: a first fork, having a first interchangeable anchor point for a cord; a second fork, having a second interchangeable anchor point for the cord; and a base to retain the first fork and the second fork at generally perpendicular angles to the base, the first and second anchor points positioned so as to provide an area for a user's hands to be inserted underneath the cord and between the forks to allow the hands to manipulate jewelry items into the cord.
 11. The loom of claim 10, wherein the first and second interchangeable anchor points are selectable between dowels and threaded warp bolts.
 12. The loom of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of O-rings to retain the interchangeable anchor points to the loom when the interchangeable anchor points are not in use.
 13. The loom of claim 10, wherein the second anchor point is retained at a distance further from the base than the second anchor point, so that the cord lies at a non-zero angle relative to the base.
 14. A method utilizing a cord, comprising: anchoring a first portion of the cord to a first anchor point; and anchoring a second portion of the cord to a second anchor point, the second anchor point at a distance from a base that is further than the first anchor point so that the cord lies at a non-zero angle relative to the base.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: supporting the first anchor point with a first fork, attached to the base; and supporting the second anchor point with a second fork, attached to the base, wherein the first fork and the second fork are retained at generally perpendicular angles to the base.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: separating the first anchor point from the second anchor point sufficiently distant from the base and from each other so as to provide an area for a user's hands to be inserted underneath and between the cords.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: separating the first anchor point from the second anchor point so as to allow room for a user's hands between the anchor points; and utilizing the hands to manipulate jewelry items into the cord.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: utilizing a dowel as the first anchor point; interchanging the dowel with a threaded warp bolt; and utilizing the threaded warp bolt as the first anchor point.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: removing the first anchor point; and utilizing an O-ring to retain the first anchor point to the loom when the first anchor point is not in use 